Chapter Fourteen: The Tao and Its Laws

  When she woke up, it was already broad daylight. Xuxian also felt that her mind was as clear and transparent as the daylight, without any of the confusion people usually have when they first wake up.

  He felt that the golden light in his heart had originally been somewhat impure, but now it had all dissipated, turning into pure gold. Although no one had pointed it out to him, he also understood that he should have made further progress.

  However, it's still unclear what use this brilliant light is, and Xu Xian couldn't help but secretly speculate that the Taoist who passed on this technique probably didn't have any particularly profound skills. Although the name sounds good, called "Star Ocean Transmission Record", in the world of martial arts, it's probably just something like "Iron Sand Palm".

  If the Taishan True Man who taught him the heart method knew about this idea, he would be so shocked that he would forget about right and wrong, and directly summon a thunderbolt to strike Xu Xian.

  However, if he saw Xu Xian's current situation, he would probably forget how to use the Thunderbolt Decision. This is because Xu Xian's current state is really too strange.

  The Great Way is three thousand, and the Taoist schools and methods of cultivation are countless. The ways of self-cultivation are not identical, and the names of different realms are also different. However, if roughly divided into stages, they can be broadly categorized as "Building Foundation - Refining Essence to Qi - Refining Qi to Spirit - Refining Spirit to Emptiness - Refining Emptiness to Merge with Tao - Breaking through the Void".

  The Xīng Suǒ Hǎi's Dharma has a unique approach, completely abandoning the physical body to cultivate the spirit and soul. "Pointing at the stars" corresponds to "building the foundation", and then completely abandoned "refining essence into energy" to start accumulating star power "refining energy into spirit". However, borrowing the power of heaven requires a great opportunity.

  Because the place of cultivation is the body of ordinary people, it's nonsense to talk about attracting the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. The main thing is still relying on the five grains and miscellaneous grains eaten in daily life, practicing essence and transforming energy from one's own body, which is the right path. It's just that this right path is also extremely slow, relying solely on a single drop of water piercing through the stone with persistence.

  Xu Xian is precisely a person with great luck, not only having luck but also relying on his peculiar worldview to point out the unprecedented sun star as the main star.

  Originally, the cultivation of the spirit is still empty. First, one must clear their mind and calm their thoughts, purify their soul, and cultivate the yin spirit. Then, with the transformation of yin and yang, one cultivates the yang spirit. The yin spirit is only similar to a ghostly spirit, but only the yang spirit is the realm of the immortal's skill. When gathered, it forms a shape; when transformed, it becomes energy. The body can transform into another form, truly escaping the constraints of the physical shell.

  If laying the foundation is the first step for a cultivator to cross the threshold, then Yang Shen is entering the hall, and the path of cultivation can be said to have truly begun.

  Xu Xian's cultivation days were still short, and at most it was only the stage of yin spirit, but Taiyang was originally the most yang thing in the world. Relying on absorbing the pure soul of Taiyang star power, Xu Xian is now a yin spirit or a yang spirit, even his master can't tell.

  But Xu Xian does not understand the wonder of his current situation. Because he doesn't know how to use any methods, he is now like a miser who only knows how to save money but not spend it, with a large fortune at home, yet has no idea how to use it, thinking that these fortunes are just good-looking.

  If it were another school of thought, taking the path of refining one's essence and transforming one's energy, perhaps Xu Xian could still indulge in being a top martial artist. However, the Xing Su Hai sect is all about "cultivating the spirit but not the body, cultivating the heart but not the flesh", with the mindset that "this physical shell is something to be discarded sooner or later, what's the point of practicing it."

  Xu Xian, who didn't understand any other skills, couldn't taste much sweetness, but now he can recite without forgetting and became a scholar thanks to practicing this skill. He often felt grateful for the Taoist's kindness in his heart. So, he wouldn't slack off on this kung fu, treating it as the most important thing every day. Only then could he reach the realm of spiritual clarity and mental transparency within just a few years.

  The way of spiritual practice, whether it's Taoism or Buddhism, the key is still in one word: heart. If the heart is enlightened, it will naturally be the great way to heaven. If the heart is confused, no matter how hard you try, you can only spin around in circles.

  The sage said: "How admirable was Yan Hui! One basket of food, one gourd of drink, and living in a poor alley; others could not have borne his hardships, but he did not allow his joy to be affected by them." He was talking about his disciple Yan Hui, who remained joyful despite the difficulties of his life. But this is a state that even the sage had to praise, how many ordinary people can calm their minds in such circumstances?

  Xu Xian was the same, although his personality was more carefree and added a few more casual elements after being reborn as a human, how could he not consider the poverty of his family at all? This consideration was not very obvious at first, but as he deepened his cultivation, it gradually became a kind of shackles.

  The things required for spiritual practice are nothing more than "Dharma, wealth, companions and land".

  "Fa" refers to the method, also known as the Dharma gate or Dao Fa. This is a prerequisite; otherwise, sitting idly at home with scattered thoughts would not be considered seeking the Dao. Xian has already obtained this first principle, which is the method he currently cultivates.

  Wealth is next to the law, and even above companionship and land. This is because in this mundane world, people who can't even afford a meal are busy running around all day, worried about making a living, their minds restless. When they lift their heads, all they see are others looking down on them with disdain, and they can't help but feel ashamed of themselves. It's hard to calm the mind, let alone cultivate the Tao - that would be a joke.

  Xu Xian has finally achieved a carefree life, with his only sister's future settled. With that worry off his mind, he can now look up to the sky and see a bright future ahead, feeling utterly relieved and content.

  Xu Xian turned his head and saw that Pan Yu's bed was empty, with the bedding neatly folded. At this time, the window was wide open, and sunlight poured in, revealing that the room had been swept clean. On the Qingmu wooden table, a gilded incense burner slowly emitted a wisp of blue smoke.

  Xu Xian basked in the morning sunlight, lying comfortably on his bed. The beds in the academy were much more comfortable than those at home. Lying in this ancient and elegant room, Xu Xian finally felt a sense of superiority as a transmigrator.

  "Who was the first to wake up from a great dream, I have always known myself. The spring sleep in the thatched cottage is enough, and the song outside the window is slow." Xu Xian couldn't help but sigh "If even Zhuge Liang, the sleeping dragon, can't even eat two meals a day, busy with making a living all day, he might not have such elegant pursuits either. The various interests in life are still to be understood after eating one's fill and wearing warm clothes."

  "Good poem, good poem!" A burst of applause brought Xu Xian back from his reverie.

  Pan Yuzheng held a lunch box, admiring himself. Xu Xian smiled awkwardly and said: "This was something a passing monk chanted when I was young, don't tell others."

  Pan Yuguan smiled and didn't mention it again, putting the food box on the table and opening it. "Come eat something!" As Pan Yu said this, she arranged the food box layer by layer, but they were some exquisite dishes in small bowls, porridge, and steamed buns.

  Pan Yuna handed a small white porcelain bowl of porridge to Xu Xian, holding the bowl, unable to tell which one was whiter and more delicate. Xu Xian took it over, feeling that being served by such a person was very comfortable, but still had a little unease.

  Two people sat opposite each other, following the rule of not speaking while eating, silently having their meal.

  Xu Xian had finished his breakfast and felt comfortable in his heart. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Ming Yu, you're really a good person!"

  Pan Yu Zheng was eating his congee with a small mouthful, and upon hearing this, he couldn't help but laugh: "Last night you still wanted to cut ties, and today you've become a great good person! Han Wen's thoughts are truly unpredictable!"

  Xu Xian's face turned red, but he couldn't say anything. He just vaguely felt that the beautiful jade-like young man in front of him seemed to have regained his usual calm and composure, and even his jokes were measured, leaving Xu Xian with a faint sense of melancholy in his heart.

  After washing and dressing, I came to the door, only to see a crowd of people gathered in front of the shadow wall of the academy's square, discussing and arguing.

  Xu Xian walked up and took a look, the wall had posted yesterday's exam results. Xu Xian carefully found his own name in the middle of the list, but Pan Yu didn't bother with this trouble. It was because his name was at the top of the list, he was the first place winner of this exam.

  At this time, several scholars came forward, seemingly familiar with Pan Yu, and congratulated him one after another: "Brother Pan is indeed the first again, living up to his reputation as the number one talent in Jiangnan!"

  Pan Yulian said he didn't dare, and naturally chatted with these few people, instantly becoming the core of this small group. Pan Yu was responding while looking around, thinking that he shouldn't neglect Xu Xian, but saw him gathering with his fellow townsman Wang An, completely ignoring this side, and couldn't help but slightly shake his head.

  One of the young men in the group, who was quite refined and elegant, observed the conversation and saw that Pan Yu seemed dissatisfied with Xu Xian. He sighed and said: "Although everyone who comes to Tianxue Academy is a talented person, it's inevitable that there are some who have only an empty reputation. They may have been called child prodigies or geniuses in their small towns, but once they arrive in Hangzhou Prefecture, their true nature is revealed. Especially Brother Xu, he was a bit too arrogant yesterday."